Regulatory Testing from Start to Certificate

    Welcome to 360 Compliance
    360

    FCC & UL Regulatory requirement Electronic & Wireless products

    In order to sell electronic/ Wireless products within the United States of America, products must be certified in reference to the relevant legislation under FCC, OSHA, CPSC, DoE and other Federal and state law requirements.

    Else, suppliers can be exposed to fines and blocking in the custom. This article will touch the base of the most common Federal & States law requirements:

    • FCC – EMC – Electromagnetic compatibility Directive
    • FCC – Radio Certification
    • OSHA – Product Safety in reference to UL-Standards
    • CPSC – Consumers commission
    • Sustainability – Federal & states law general overview

    Manufacturers and their supply chain carry a legal liability to follow the relevant legislations subjected to their product intend of use and technology.

    FCC Regulates

    The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all Electronicsand Wireless products in all 50 states and other USA territories. Any Electronic device must be in Compliance with FCC regulations and any Intentional radiators must have FCC ID. Main FCC requirements are:

    EMC

    All electric devices or installations influence each other when interconnected or close to each other, e.g. interference between TV sets, GSM handsets, radios and nearby washing machine or electrical power lines. The purpose of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is to keep all those side effects under reasonable control. FCC EMC rules refers only to Radiated & Conducted emissions.

    RADIO

    FCC radio certification is required  for placing radio equipment on the market.

    Any Intentional radiator should be tested and submitted for a TCB review ( the responsible party by the FCC to review the request and to submit the product under the FCC Website with his own FCC ID).

    The process includes the following:

    • Testing – In band and out of band Radio tests i.e. Bandedge, Mask , PSD, Peak gain, Spurious, etc.
    • Grantee code and FRN under FCC in order to establish an account and issue FCC ID
    • File submission – 20+ items for TCB review depends on the type of certification
    • TCB review

    SAR – Specific Absorption Rate

    Whenever the radio device used as a portable device with a distance < 20cm from the user, than SAR tests need to be determined. In any other case SAR assessment will still be needed.

    Whenever using already certified module, it’s the host manufacturer responsibility to verify that the integration in the final host device meets FCC Grantee limitation such as RF Exposure, Multi transmitters procedure and so on.
    The host manufacturers should keep records and declare under the SDoC procedure that he in Compliance with all requirements.

    The SDoC is a legal liability, and besides the company to be signed on, it should also include the company local representative details within the USA.

    See  explanation on SDoC procedure:

    FCC – Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) – Regulation Summary>>

    https://www.fcc.gov/general/equipment-authorization-procedures

    Product Safety – UL Standards

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor.

    OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program recognizes private sector organizations to perform certification for certain products to ensure that they meet the requirements of both the construction and general industry OSHA electrical standards. Each NRTL has a scope of test standards that they are recognized for, and each NRTL uses its own unique registered certification mark(s) to designate product conformance to the applicable product safety test standards. After certifying a product, the NRTL authorizes the manufacturer to apply a registered certification mark to the product.

    If the certification is done under the NRTL program, this mark signifies that the NRTL tested and certified the product and that the product complies with the requirements of one or more appropriate product safety test standards. Current List of NRTLs >> Link

    Most OSHA standards are based on UL-Standards, therefore it’s important to distinguish between UL lab which is one entity among other NRTL’s, to UL-STD ( Standards). UL-STD ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits provides a high level of protection for the user. Obtaining the NRTL mark required first and quarterly factory inspections.

    Sustainability, Environmental & Recycling Directives:

    • CPSC
      The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of types of consumer products. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals.
    • California Proposition 65
       Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By requiring that this information be provided, Proposition 65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals.

    Proposition 65 requires California to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 900 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.

    State law requires any person suing “in the public interest” to enforce Proposition 65, to notify the Attorney General of the lawsuit and outcome of the case. Link to Enforcement reporting >>
    There are also other State laws such as NJAC 13: 1E-99.94, which should be evaluated per State.

    OUR OFFER:

    PRICES – FIXED COSTS FROM START TO CERTIFICATE

    • Time Frame – the Faster TTM turnaround
    • Full project management turnkey.
    • Technical Support – Pretesting and debugging
    • Testing & Certification – CE, FCC, UL-STD, MiC-Japan, ACMA-Australia, NOM-Mexico, Anatel-Brazil….
    • Global Market Access – Covering ~ 195 countries

    360Compliance provides regulatory Testing & Certification services for hundreds of Hi-Tech manufacturers annually >  partial list: https://360compliance.co/customers/  

    Feel free to get in touch to provide you initial free of charge consulting to assist you to define the right strategic approach with the faster TTM and the most cost-effective solution.

    Share this:

    You may also be interested

    Cambodia-TRC
    Cambodia TRC Regulatory Updates
    March 21, 2024
    On December 11th, 2023, the head leader of Cambodia's Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) issued a notification to all officers regarding the review of type approval documents, emphasizing the importance of consistency between the information provided in test reports and that submitted by clients. This notification clarified that previously accepted practices, such as using the product name and country of origin as claimed by the client, should now align precisely with the details presented in the test report. Following discussions and confirmations, TRC officers reaffirmed on December 27th, 2023, that this new rule must be adhered to for all future projects seeking type approval. For submissions with one country of origin, the test report must indicate the CoO. In cases where a product has more than one country of origin, the report should display one CoO, with any additional CoOs declared in a separate declaration letter. Moreover, TRC explicitly stated that reports lacking any indication of country of origin will not be accepted under these new guidelines. This adjustment aims to enhance accuracy and consistency in reviewing type approval submissions. Streamlining TRC Type Approval with Support from 360Compliance 360Compliance specializes in navigating TRC's type approval process, ensuring documents precisely reflect the country of origin per the latest guidelines. Our team offers expert advice and comprehensive services, including preparing test reports and submitting declaration letters. Partner with us to meet TRC's stringent criteria, minimize delays, and effectively secure type approval for your products. Let 360Compliance handle the complexities of compliance, allowing you to focus on your core business activities with peace of mind. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve regulatory compliance in Cambodia.
    SIRIM_MCMC_Certification
    Malaysia SIRIM-MCMC Regulatory Updates
    March 21, 2024
    The Malaysia SIRIM CMCS Department, responsible for MCMC certification, recently implemented a significant update regarding Intellectual Property (IP) Forms for Type Approval applications. These forms replace the trademark authorization letter to improve efficiency and accuracy in approvals. The new IP Forms categorize trademark declarations based on whether the applicant has obtained authorization from the trademark/brand owner. For applicants who have been authorized, the required documents include evidence of a registration certificate issued by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). Or an equivalent foreign organization, along with an Intellectual Property (IP) Authorization Letter (eTAC/FOR/01-8). On the other hand, if the applicant has not obtained written consent and authorization to use the trademark/brand, they must submit the Intellectual Property (IP) Undertaking form issued by the applicant (eTAC/FOR/01-9). Importantly, these new forms are effective immediately and will be used for all new projects. They mark a significant shift in SIRIM's approach. The organization can now accept brands/trademarks that have not been officially authorized by the brand owner. However, in such cases, the importer must provide a written declaration accepting responsibility. Furthermore, the new Brand name authorization process requires both the Brand owner and the Importer to co-sign the Brand name authorization letter. This updated procedure aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the approval process for Type Approval applications, ultimately benefiting both applicants and consumers in Malaysia. Simplifying SIRIM Certification with 360Compliance Navigating the latest SIRIM and MCMC certification requirements can be complex, especially when introducing new Intellectual Property (IP) Forms. 360Compliance is here to simplify this process for you. Our team knows the latest SIRIM updates, including the new eTAC/FOR/01-8 and eTAC/FOR/01-9 forms. We provide comprehensive support, ensuring your Type Approval applications are complete, accurate, and compliant with the latest regulations. From obtaining the necessary authorizations to submitting the correct IP Forms, we manage every step of the process efficiently. Partner with 360Compliance to streamline your SIRIM certification journey, minimize delays, and maximize compliance. Contact us today to ensure your products easily meet Malaysia's certification standards.
    india
    India Regulatory Updates
    March 21, 2024
    India TEC issued a notification in January 2024 regarding generic exemptions for products without available test labs.  In January 2024, India's Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC) issued a significant notification regarding generic exemptions due to the absence of available test laboratories within the country. These exemptions represent a crucial development, indicating that specific parameters no longer require the submission of test reports if customers cannot provide them. It's important to note that while these exemptions are in place, ILAC reports for CE/FCC are still subject to regulations based on the specific product category. This means that evaluation criteria for these reports vary depending on the nature of the product. Furthermore, TEC has specified product categories that continue to accept ILAC reports. Notably, the validation for these exemptions has been extended until June 30, 2024, with the potential for further extensions based on the evolving circumstances. These updates underscore TEC's commitment to adapting regulations to facilitate market access while maintaining stringent quality standards in the telecommunications sector. TEC approves testing exemptions for several product categories under their mandatory testing and certification program The Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Ministry of Communications, recently issued a notification regarding the approval of test requirements exemptions for certain product categories that necessitate mandatory testing and certification. This development signifies a significant step towards streamlining regulatory processes and promoting efficiency in the telecommunications sector. By exempting certain products from rigorous testing requirements, TEC aims to facilitate faster market access for manufacturers while maintaining high standards of quality and safety. This initiative aims to reduce costs and accelerate the introduction of innovative products to benefit industry stakeholders and consumers. How 360Compliance Can Streamline TEC Certification? 360Compliance offers expert guidance for navigating TEC certification complexities, especially with recent updates. We're adept in TEC requirements and ILAC report evaluations, ensuring compliance. Our understanding of exemption criteria and certification process management aids manufacturers and distributors in adjusting smoothly. Partnering with us secures strategic advantages for quicker market access, keeping with India's telecom quality standards. We simplify compliance, focusing on your innovation and growth in a changing regulatory landscape.

    Get in touch to take the next step with 360Compliance

    Contact us